Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones today welcomed the Welsh Government's "Working Smarter" report which lists numerous recommendations to cut red tape for farmers.
The report by Institute of Directors Wales chairman Gareth Williams makes 74 recommendations and emphasises how they should be delivered.
Mr Jones said: "Gareth Williams is to be commended for undertaking this work over such a short period, listening to the industry's concerns and highlighting areas where major improvements need to be made which are in all our interests.
"Deputy agriculture minister Alun Davies's working smarter initiative is something that we all see eye to eye on and the report contains a host of real win-win proposals which would reduce costs and bureaucracy for both farmers and government bodies.
"The next step will be to ensure that the momentum built up by Mr Williams over the past nine months continues and that each of the recommendations is implemented at the earliest possible opportunity."
The recommendations are aimed at:
* Improving communication with the farming community;
* Improving the Single Payment application process and customer experience;
* Reducing the overall number of farm inspections while adequately addressing risk;
* Safeguarding animal health and welfare while establishing flexibility of livestock movement;
* Reducing and simplifying farm records, including those covering livestock identification and movements, and medicine purchase and usage;
* Improving understanding of, and compliance with, environmental regulations;
* Making it easier for farmers to diversify their farm businesses.
The recommendations are grouped into 20 "quick wins" which Mr Williams has suggested should be delivered by the 2012 Summer Recess; 35 "short term solutions" to be delivered by the 2013 Summer Recess; and 19 "medium term solutions" to be delivered by the next Assembly Elections in 2015.
The report can be found at: